Indians Against Indians: A Three Way Battle in Trinidad.

Prime Minister
Kamla Persad Bissessar

Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh
Environmentalist

In what has now become a three way battle between our Indian brothers and sister, the high way re route struggle has now seen a third contestant appearing on the battle front today in opposition to the position taken by Dr. Kublalsingh. A copycat hunger striker from Penal/Debe burst on the scene today in support of the very issue that  Dr. Kublalsingh now fights against for a 7th day.

Mystery Hunger Striker

This hunger striker showed up among scores of supporters demonstrating their support for the highway being built in the controversal proposed manner. this hunger striker's camp was erected in Penal near Kamla Persad Bissessar's Constituency office. He has now calling for an audience with the Prime Minister as he would not eat until the PM meets with him.  The interesting aspect of this entire "war" is that the High Way Re-route movement's proposal removes the highway from  passing within three communities inclusive of the Prime Minister's village of Siparia. It leaves much to be consider as to why Dr. Kublalsingh is now feeling the full length of the State's Might even from a former comrade in the person of Kamla Persad Bissessar in fighting against the Aluminum Smelter proposed by the former PNM regime.  Is it the a matter of State against Kublalsingh or is it a matter of Personalities/Persons against Kublalsingh. 

It is unfortunate that even while Kublalsingh begins to show signs of extreme frailness and dehydration the powers that be continues to display signs of politicking even at the expense of a life. Clearly, the PP government must be aware that a "Death" on their watch can never resound into becoming a positive for their cause. Had this been the response of an Afro Trinidadian to an East Indian protester surely it would have been painted with race303 by some political painters. However, the reverse is perpetrated only to the support of scores of unconscionable PP defenders. 

Today an Indian struggle rages on a midst an Indian resistance. One which has ambushed our beloved Country and  arrested the minds and infused venom and divisiveness among our people. Persons who would not have been directly affected by this minuscule situation has now become surrounded and affected by the current state of affairs, even as the international community watches on. There must an amicable end to this hostile situation. We do not need to see someone hospitalized or near death's door for him or her to have an audience with our Prime Minister. Even if persons may believe that his actions can set a dangerous precedence  Kublalsingh should not be left to his self imposed fate of death as he is not asking for change, he is not asking for money, he is not asking a signature to aide in his cause, all he seeks is an audience with the PM even if that might be two minutes. 

Today, I urge the Government and all parties involved to allow Good Sense to Prevail. As Panday rightfully said "where there is a human problem, there is a human answer". 

Racial Division Evident in Trinidad and Tobago

Its has become a recurring and common phenomenon for politicians to use Religious functions as a political firing range. Recently, our Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar made serious verbal attack on Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley at the closing of the Divali Nagar festivities which occupied the public conversation as having racial connotations. It was only days prior to that Minister of National Security Jack Warner found it apt to stay away from the opening of the said festival given that the Opposition Leader was present. 

This abusive behavioral and misuse of sacred functions is beyond abhorrent and abominable in its entirety.  Politicians must at length be condemned without fail for engaging in what can be seen as distasteful and unexemplary behavior. Politicians must be cognizant of their verbalizations, as such can bear fruits of hatred, segregation, and exclusion by color or race. 

Given the frequency of these occurances, one must ask the question whether this is a deliberate and calculated activity employed by  those of our leaders. Old politics employed the art of 'divide and rule' and what was seen on the platform of the Divali Nagar was nothing short of having racial overtones and remnants of the art "et impera and divide ut regnes which was utilized by the Roman ruler Caesar and the French emperor Napoleon".

"The Opposition Leader expressed shock, contempt and poured scorn on this sacred exercise in devotion.
"Today, a few short months later, that same person came kurta-clad to share in your festivities and admire your art forms.
"The same individual who rejected your values. Kamla said.

What was the message here?, Was it inclusion? What was the underlying motive/s of such statements?  Clearly it cannot be that light transcends darkness or that light draws all darkness away from its path. Clearly she must have known that her utterances were anti Hindu as Hinduism embraces at its  core  humility, tolerance, love and forgiveness even towards your enemy.

The Prime Minister must therefore refrain from making such colored statements, which at any time could insight racial antagonism. The Prime Minister must remain level minded in her attempt to score political points at all times. She must impress on the Nation that she is of sound character and as such represents the entire whole and not only a fraction of the whole. Thus, it is imperative that this foolish re-occurrence of Race and Racial overtones be discontinued by members within the PP Government and by extension all politicians.

Having therefore been condemned for lighting deyas with a "dark" and vindictive heart, and having been ridicule for seemingly asserting that Rowley should not wear traditional Indian garments and for implying that he should not be forgiven for statements about "kissing Foot" let her be reminded that her actions and statements must at all times foster and encourage our Anthem's line "Here every creed and race finds an equal place".

  

CALL THA ELECTIONS NOW!

Prime Minister
Kamla Persad-Bissesar

CALL the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections now.

This was the challenge thrown out to Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday.

Last Thursday, Rowley, during a news conference at his Port of Spain office, said, "They (Government) do not deserve to be in office, they have betrayed the trust of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. They are stained and they are shamed, and they must leave office and we are calling for elections now," Rowley said.

Persad-Bissessar, addressing a gathering at her private residence in Phillipine, South Trinidad, said, "We challenge you (Rowley) call the THA elections now. That is the only one that is due and we will not sacrifice the votes and the trust and the mandate of the electorate of Trinidad and Tobago to do the thing that Mister Manning did twice, early elections."

Former prime minister Patrick Manning and former leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) called early general elections twice—once in 1995, which he lost to the United National Congress (UNC) and its then leader Basdeo Panday, and then in 2010, which he lost to the People's Partnership government led by Persad-Bissessar.

Persad-Bissessar said, "So Mister Rowley be a Tobago-born soldier, call the THA elections now. Dissolve the THA. Let us go forth. We are rising to the top with the TOP (Tobago Organisation of the People) because, for the first time in the history of this country, people of Tobago are given due respect side by side. Mister Rowley tell Mister (Orville) London to dissolve the THA and I will make the date for the election."

London is the THA's Chief Secretary. The election must take place by January 2013.

Yesterday, Persad-Bissessar hosted a pre-budget function at her home, where all ministers, Members of Parliament, regional corporations, non-governmental organisations and other groups were invited to attend.

The Prime Minister also told her guests she will continue to listen to the people and her government is "alive and strong".

She said, "I am fortified in my view that the Partnership is alive strong and we have demonstrated as a team that even if we should misstep or falter, that the collective good is greater than the individual good. There have been times when you have asked questions, as I have, and as ministers have and MPs ask. There have been questions that we have asked, and it is right and fitting that we ask those questions because when we ask those questions it makes us better."

Persad-Bissessar said, "The answers make us improve and do better than we did yesterday.

She said, "If any one of us falters and fails, I will have no compunction but to remove them out of the very government office because, at the end of the day, it is not about one of us, it is about all of us. I will always listen to the people, I will continue to listen and then lead. I will stay very strong and very focused. You gave us a mandate here and we will continue to carry out that mandate to serve the people."

She also announced that on Saturday there will be a rally at Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas at 2 p.m. The purpose of the rally will be to discuss the upcoming budget.

Reproduced from Trinidad Express

VOLNEY FIRED: Was He the Scapegoat?

FIRED: Former Minister of Justice
Herbert Volney

The fiasco of Section 34 sparked widespread calls for the heads of the Attorney General and the Justice Minister. Last night in a 26 minute address to the nation, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar offered up one, that of Justice Minister Herbert Volney.

In her address immediately following an extended Cabinet regular meeting yesterday, the Prime Minister informed the nation that she had advised Acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith to revoke Volney's appointment. The Prime Minister announced the appointment Attorney Christlyn Moore, a lawyer in the Office of the Attorney General as the new Justice Minister and Senator. 

Her live address to the nation definitively cleared the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan of any culpability or involvement in the scandal of the (Administration of Justice) Indictable Offences Act) and she placed the blame for the Section 34 debacle squarely at Volney's feet, stating that he misled the Cabinet. Persad-Bissessar further said that during her investigation, she learnt that neither Archie nor Gaspard had consented to the proclamation, which has allowed more than 20 criminal defendants, including UNC financiers Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson to petition the High Court to be freed based on Section 34, which allows a judge to dismiss a case against a person and find the person not guilty if ten years or more has elapsed since the commission of the offence and the trial had not begun.

It was Volney who piloted the final version of Section 34 in the Senate ("which, the Prime Minister noted, was not the version approved by the Legislative Review Committee (LRC) and thereafter by the Cabinet"). She also pointed that it was his Cabinet note which called for early proclamation, citing consultations with Chief Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

She recalled that when Volney brought the note on August 9 to the Cabinet to proclaim Section 34 she specifically asked him whether the Chief Justice and the DPP had been consulted. She said Volney drew her attention to paragraph five of the Note which started that the Chief Justice had been consulted on the proclamation. "He then confirmed to the Cabinet that he had the support and approval of both the Chief Justice and the DPP on this matter," the Prime Minister stated.

"Early proclamation should never have occurred," the Prime Minister concluded.

"The approval of the Cabinet for this piecemeal proclamation was therefore predicated and based on the assurance and understanding that the Judiciary and the DPP were adequately consulted and fully supported the early implementation of this measure (Section 34) as a precursor to the rest of the act that would come into force in January 2013," the Prime Minister said.

But the Prime Minister said during her investigations that she spoke with the Chief Justice and "humbly requested" a report. The Chief Justice who provided a written report as well as the notes taken at a July 24 meeting with a specially appointed inter-ministerial committee, she said. She added that she also met with the Chief Justice and the DPP on Wednesday on the issue. "I am now satisfied that there was no prior adequate or proper consultation with either office-holder on the early proclamation of Section 34," she said.

She added that she was also satisfied that there was a "legitimate expectation" on the part of both officeholders that there would be no partial proclamation of this Act as this assurance had been given by Volney at the July 24 meeting.

The Prime Minister said all ministers had a "sacred duty and responsibility to the Cabinet in seeking to persuade the Cabinet to approve his or her note, present his case objectively, accurately in the knowledge that the Cabinet would act on his or her assurances and representations," she said.

"The Minister of Justice had a duty to faithfully and accurately represent the position and views of the Honourable Chief Justice and the DPP. He failed so to do and the Cabinet relied and acted on his assurances in good faith," the Prime Minister said.

"His failure to do so is a serious misrepresentation and amounts to material non-disclosure of relevant facts to the Cabinet which effectively prevented the Cabinet from making an informed decision," the Prime Minister said.

Persad-Bissessar noted that even after the concerns were first raised by the DPP, Volney told the Cabinet that both the CJ and DPP had agreed to the early proclamation.

The Prime Minister apologised to the President, the Chief Justice, the Parliament, the DPP and the country.

This was the seventh minister which Persad-Bissessar has axed in her relatively short two-and-a-half-year tenure as PM. She said, "tough decisions on integrity and performance were being made all the time". The Prime Minister said she had spoken with Volney yesterday and he admitted he made an error.

The Prime Minister however stressed that it was Parliament in its collective wisdom which "gave birth to Section 34".

She emphasised too there was no "nefarious intent" and that the amendment "targeted no particular persons, nor was it designed to protect any sectoral interests". The outcry was created because the bill would have provided an avenue for UNC financiers Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson and others in the Piarco fraud cases to escape prosecution. Section 34 was repealed last week,

The Prime Minister noted that "it was on the floor of the Senate without oversight by the LRC or the Cabinet," that the final version of Section 34, which changed the statutory limitation from ten years from the start of criminal proceedings to ten years from the date of the offence, was created.

The Prime Minister appeared to praise the public protest over Section 34, saying that she "embraced the debate and demonstration and welcomed those who feel so passionately about the nation".

Volney's termination is the eighth to be ordered by Persad-Bissessar since the People’s Partnership assumed power in May 2010.

She also revoked the ministerial appointments of Minister in the National Security Minister Collin Partap, Minister of Planning, Restructuring and Gender Affairs Mary King, Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis, Public Administration Minister Rudrawatee Nan Gosine-Ramgoolam, Minister in the National Security Ministry Subhas Panday, National Security Minister John Sandy, and Gender Affairs Minister Verna St Rose-Greaves.

BREAKING NEWS Herbert Volney Fired Over Section 34 Fiasco.

Herbert Volney Fired as
 Minister of Justice

In a lengthy address to the nation tonight, Prime Minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar broke her silence about early proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act.

She indicated to the nation that the bill was first passed in the House without the infamous clause 34 and then amended and passed in the Senate with the support of the Independent members as well as the Opposition members.

"As a Cabinet, we must take collective responsibility" she said, however, every Minister must correctly and accurately informed the members of cabinet so that informed decisions can be made. She further noted that Volney had erred in this regard to accurately inform the members of the Cabinet, thus failing in his ministerial responsibility in presenting the note which gained the approval for the proclamation of Section 34. As such,  she has advise the Acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith that his appointment be revoked. 

Volney is to be replaced by Tobagonian Attorney at Law Christlyn Moore, who would take the position as a Senator and as the Minister of Justice.

Stay Tuned More to Come in This Story.

PM BREAKS SILENCE

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will finally be breaking her silence today after almost two weeks of public outrage over the early proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act.

Persad-Bissessar yesterday walked around Laventille and environs where she met and encouraged residents to keep the peace.

Almost three hours later after the walk, when pressed by the media on the Section 34 issue, Persad-Bissessar responded: "I will be making a statement tomorrow after Cabinet."

Later, a release was issued by the Office of the Prime Minister stating that the Prime Minister will be issuing a full statement on the matter today after Cabinet is concluded.

The Prime Minister stated in the release:

"Soon after Section 34 was proclaimed, the Director of Public Prosecutions expressed concerns to the Attorney General regarding the implications and consequences of the event. The Attorney General sought an immediate audience with me and, having examined the matter myself, I was satisfied that the consequences and far-reaching implications of this section were not consistent with Government policy.

"In the circumstances, I gave instructions for the Parliament to be convened immediately to consider a Bill to repeal Section 34. I also summoned the Cabinet to an emergency meeting to discuss the matter. The Government therefore moved swiftly to successfully reverse the ill-effects and unintended consequences of this section.

"Apart from taking immediate and necessary action to repeal Section 34, I chose to remain silent on the issue of its early proclamation because a premature commentary on the matter before all information became available to me would have been injudicious. Since then I have been personally enquiring into the circumstances that created the situation before us today and will be issuing a full statement on the matter tomorrow, Thursday, September 20 after Cabinet is concluded."

Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act, 2011 was proclaimed by the President on August 30, thereby giving accused persons a legal avenue to apply to a judge to throw out a case if more than ten years had passed since the commission of the alleged offence and if the trial had not yet started.

On the heels of the proclamation, businessmen Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, as well as other accused, applied to the High Court under Section 34 for their freedom.

The UNC financiers are accused of bid-rigging and conspiracy to defraud the Government of Trinidad and Tobago during the period March 1, 1997 to December 21, 2000, in the construction of the Piarco International Airport Terminal.

Last Tuesday the Prime Minister held an emergency Cabinet meeting and instructed that Parliament be reconvened to repeal Section 34.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House of Representatives and Senate met respectively and Section 34 was repealed.

Early last Friday morning, the President signed the Proclamation Order repealing Section 34 which he had proclaimed just two weeks ago on August 30.

The furore continued, however, with Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley calling on citizens to march against the Government's handling of Section 34.

The Opposition argued that it had supported the Act because assurances were given that it would not be proclaimed until the legal infrastructure was put into place.

On Tuesday, Rowley led a march from the Red House to President's House where he presented a petition bearing 25,000 signatures to acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith which called on the Prime Minister to explain the section 34 fiasco and also revoke the appointments of Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Justice Minister Herbert Volney.

On the same day that Rowley and thousands marched, Congress of the People (COP) political leader Prakash Ramadhar publicly apologised for his part in the Section 34 fiasco.

Ramadhar urged his own Government of which he is a partner, to come forward and explain the details that led to the passing of the contentious section.

Not only did the DPP take issue with the proclamation of Section 34 but the Criminal Bar Association and Law Association also stated that they were not consulted on this particular section.

Chief Justice Ivor Archie also spoke out on the issue at the opening of the 2012/13 law term, saying the implementation of any legislative policy to eliminate preliminary enquiries could not realistically have taken place before the first quarter of 2013.

Today, the country will hear from the Prime Minister herself why her Cabinet took the decision to proclaim Section 34 and whether anyone will be held accountable.

Strange Appearance" Prime Minister and Ashworth Jack featured in "50 Meets 50"

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar
and Minority Leader, Ashworth Jack
in  50 meets 50 last night.

In a surprise to patrons last night, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and Minority Leader of the THA, Ashworth Jack appeared at the 50 meet 50 concert held at Canoe Bay-Tobago. In true political style, and public relation gimmick they both walked out from backstage holding raised hands to the crowd.

The  surprised crowd showed mixed emotion to the their appearance. Some cheered while they both waved with smiles to the crowds, while others grunt and murmured with disapproval. Their appearance came at the end of Taurus Riley's performance. 

"50 Meets 50"  was promoted as a mega show in which the two countries celebrating their 50th anniversary were featured. Artists represented from Jamaica were: Sizzla, Baby Cham, and Taurus Riley, while Artists from Trinidad were: Machael Montano and the HD family, shal Marshal, Tc, Ravi B and Karma, Roy Cape featuring Denise Belfond and Blacks.

Call for Tassa Drums to be Second National Instrument: Ridiculous !

Tropical Power Country Boys Tassa Group

Something which would have surfaced with a mephitis attached from the la basse of thoughts, is the description for the plea made by Tassa Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), to incorporate Tassa drums as the second National instrument. Information reaching the public domain indicates that the TATT have made calls to the Prime Minister  Kamla Persad Bissessar to make Tassa drums the second National instrument. Wendell Eversley, vice-president of the Association, indicated that the call for tassa to be made the second national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago came from a historical perspective.

Wendell Eversley arguments are based on false premises. Citing that the pan we use are imported, and that the drum was here from the beginning (which was cited as slavery) was nothing short of man who seemingly missed the mark. There is little doubt that Mr Eversley failed to comprehend that the 'SteelPan' is not a barrel filled with oil. Rather, it is an instrument created by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago chromatically pitched and tuned in such a way that it provides harmonic notes on a musical scale. On the contrary,  research have indicated that the tassa drum dates back to 4000 years ago, to the Persian region of Karbala which is now known as present day Iraq. Over the years the drum was associated with present day Afghanistan, Pakistan and finally India where many of the rhythms of tassa originated.

Try as I may to disassociate this from a subtle ethnic overtone, research has unearth data which supports that the Tassa Drum was brought here by indentured workers to the Caribbean in the 19th century somehow flourishing in Trinidad within the Muslim Hosay festivals. And although Pan may be viewed primarily as an 'African' instrument, the fact remains unequivocally,  that steel pan is not an African instrument neither is it an East Indian instrument, it is a Trinidad and Tobago instrument, made, claimed and appreciated by all of its people. 

By all means, tassa drums and its rhythms are part of our culture, it is part of our heritage and as such must be preserved. However, to ask to be placed as equal to that of an instrument invented by its people is too ask to much and a slap in the face of the people who've worked hard and tirelessly to have it recognized as it is today, and a slap in the face of the people it represents. 

This idea of a second national instrument, (which was taken by Mohammed back to India after the wars with the Persians), is outright preposterous, and frivolous. It bears no National significance other than it was brought here by indentured immigrants, and quite frankly should not be esteemed higher than a grand piano. Is it an 'Indian time' request that seemingly would augur well with our Indian Prime Minister and Administration? Why wasn't this brought to the table over the ten (10) years reign of the other regime? Is it another way to glorify race pride? The answers to these questions I cannot give, as such I must leave them to the court of public opinion. 

Our golden jubilee anniversary is almost here, let us suggest ways that can stem the current trends. Let us suggest intelligible ideas which can serve as a catalyst to enhance integration of all sections and ethnic groups. Let our ideas indicate to the world that our nation have matured, that our nation is  ready to seen as stronger, more integrated, more united and a more cohesive unit.  

And may God bless our Nation.

Politicians Steal Spotlight in Olympians Motorcade.

In what should have been a day to celebrate our Olympic heroes, tuned out to be an event marred with political trickery and subtle public relation activities. On Monday the 20th of August, a planned Motorcade for returning Olympians was organised by Government to be held in Tobago. From the onset, politicians can be seen stealing the spot light of our teenage  Heroes. Politicians swarm the caravan in which the athletes were to be transported and some even rode in it as if it were their "time".  

Ashworth Jack Stealing the Spot Light of our
Olympic Heroes

Moreover, what followed en-route was grossly distasteful and disrespectful to our Heroes. Instead of Olympians meeting with people and signing autographs, it was over shadowed with gluttonous citizens competing without fail, swarming like bees to collect handouts distributed by the Government. Investigations would reveal that these gifts distributed were Mugs and Cups with the Prime Minister's face printed on them., disguised in a white box that bore the Coat of Arms. A total disrespect for the athletes and the country which is would celebrate its 50th year of Independence. Why wasn't these cups and mugs printed with our Heroes faces or printed with some symbol more  apt or mutual? The PP Government chose to use the achievement of our young vibrant heroes and make a mockery of it transforming it into a Public Relation Circus.

A Cup distributed by the PP Government in Celebration of our Olympic Heroes in Tobago

Ashworth Jack, Minority Leader THA
giving out Gifts during Celebrations for Olympians in Tobago

This is confirmation that they do not have these athletes' interest at heart. Rather it is their hidden agenda, to steal the spotlight and mascarade themselves all in an effort to gain cheap political points. This sort of 'tom-foolishness' should not repeat itself. If the day belongs to the successful athletes, let that be the sole agenda. Let the heroes bask in their moment, let them meet and greet people, let them sign autographs and engage in their photo op.  

Why make it political? why suck the blood of these athletes and ride their wave of success in a bid to wrongfully gain that which does not belong to you?

Celebrating our athlete's success does not mean the inclusion of political figures. it does not transform into political figures becoming band-wagonist and distributing anything political. Souvenirs should not be of political faces, nor bare political symbols or should not reflect any political agenda. Rather, they should be solely about the athletes, and their long journey to success. 

  

So given that we have the opportunity to come right on the 3rd of September, I hope that the Government would get it right this time. Hope that they would be genuine in their efforts of celebrating our heroes. Hope that our Heroes would be rewarded with the respect and treatment that they justly deserve. Till such time the eyes of Trinidad and Tobago would be firmly on you. 

Keshorn Walcott Welcome Home:- Receives Trini Goodies

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar have Officially welcome home Keshorn Walcott, Gold Medalist in the Men's Javelin London 2012. A jubilant young man was all smiled as the massive crowd gathered at the Piarco Airport to welcome him. 

The Prime Minister presented him with a replica  plane of Caribbean Airlines and then announced that he would receive among other things:

1. Renaming of the Toco Light house to Keshorn Walcott light house

2. Twenty thousand (20000) sq ft of land in his hometown

3. 1 Million in cash

4. A House in Federation Park
5. An open scholarship to the University of Trinidad and Tobago

Breaking News: Tomorrow 13th of August Declared a National Holiday

Kamla Persard Bissessar, Prime Minister
Of Trinidad and Tobago

Kamla Persad Bissessar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in a National address, have declared Monday 13th of August 2012 a National Holiday. This was done in honor of all Olympic athletes, who would have tuned in their best at the Olympic games in London 2012. Tomorrow would see a massive welcome for all athletes, with a planned motorcade prepared for our Gold medalist Keshorn Walcott. 

In her address, she invited the entire t&t to come out at the airport to a planned reception for Keshorn and all athletes. Walcott stunned the world and the entire Trinidad and Tobago with a record breaking and history making throw of 18.54 m in the Men's Javelin Finals, writing his name into t&t's history book as the second person to win a Gold medal at the Olympics. 

Prime minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar told the nation that following the reception, the young man would be driven in a motorcade from the airport through the eastern Main Road, passing through Arima, Valencia and Sangre Grande and then on to his hometown of Toco where there would be a warm reception at the Toco Composite school. Persad-Bissessar indicated that the event has been organised by the village in collaboration of the government of Trinidad & Tobago.

Persad-Bissessar also indicated that she would say on Monday what special honor would be given to Walcott for his outstanding and inspiring performance in London. She thanked him along with the other members of the Olympic team for showing courage and determination. saying that the athletes have renewed the country's sense of patriotism in this year of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Independence.

No Race Game:Emancipation Support Committee receives $4 Million

ESC chairman Khafra Kambon received a 2 million dollar cheque
 from the Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Sorrow has tuned to joy, as the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) received $4 million from the government. ESC chairman Khafra Kambon was presented with a 2 million dollar cheque from the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The committee would receive another $2 million from the  Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism. 

Earlier this week, the committee in a press conference indicated that they would returned a 1 million dollar cheque to the government as it would grossly insufficient. Kambon had charged that the Government had reneged on a promise to include funding for the Emancipation Day celebrations in the annual budget and that the committee was disappointed and angered by the lack of financial support for the Emancipation celebrations. However, speaking after the presentation of the cheque, a jubilant Kambon stated he was pleased as the $4 million was what they had asked for."We have gotten what we requested and we didn't expect more than what we requested".  

This action however, have not gone unseen by other groups within the country vying to get an increase share of a depleted treasury. Speaking yesterday, the general secretary of the Maha Sabha, Sat Maharaj, said he was happy for this group, but hoped that the same would be done for Indian Arrival Day next year.

Is This a Race Game:Emancipation Support Committee Refuses Government's Measly $1 Million

Symbolic of Breaking the Chains of Slavery

With mere days from Emancipation 2012, the typical drama have unfolded again. A 1 million dollar cheque given by the PP Government to the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) was refused, as it is believed that the sum cannot fund the celebration. 
Khafra kambon, Leader of the ESC stated that he and his committee were beyond disappointed and angered by the lack of financial support for yet another time. An emotional Kambon further stated that the festival has profound meaning, but has been treated with disrespect along with the people of African descent. Like he did last year, he repeated that the Emancipation commemoration be a budgeted item and all "systemic obstacles" that are in the way of the committee receiving funding be removed.
He further contended that the PP Government have reneged on its promise to include funding for the Emancipation Day celebrations in its annual budget, suggesting that the group may need to "make noise" in order not to be left out.

Kamblon stated that this years production would total $7 million and have therefore refused to accept the 1 million without further commitment by the Government to the give the balance. Last year, celebrations reached the visinity of $4 million and therefore 1 million is no less than an insult. 

Moreover, Kambon noted that  when things of an African nature was in need of assistance it was blanked from both the private and public sector in terms of funding. Something, he described as an "inbuilt bias against the African" in the society.

When asked why the committee didn't seek to one day be self-sufficient,  Kambon suggested that another member present answer and education officer of the committee, Tracy Wilson, said the funding was reparation. Yes Reparation.

"It is interesting that every time we have a press conference this question comes up. We have worked for centuries to get other people rich. When we walked off the plantation it was other people who were compensated. Why it is that because we ask for what we believe is our due it becomes a problem? More importantly, we are an NGO (non-governmental organisation) that is responsible in helping organising the society," Wilson said.


History would show that on Tuesday 30, May, 2006 Kamla, then Opposition leader called on the Government then (PNM) to release more funds for Indian Arrival Day, stating that the funds received were an insult to the Indian People.  Today, she is remainded of her own words, “There must be adequate and transparent funding...,There must be equity in such funding if we are to rescue our nation.” “Their struggles and sacrifices and hard work must not be forgotten and the fruits of their labour must not be diminished, Their legacy to this country is a rich and invaluable one that deserves the utmost respect and admiration." 

Therefore, the Government should note that Emancipation celebration is a national festival done in Celebrating the seemingly 'elevated' status of "Black Slaves". The ESC wishes therefore, that the words enshrined in our anthem 'every creed and race find an equal place' be adhered to, for the benefit of all our nation’s citizens. In the words of Wilson "We cannot have good Trinidadians until we have good Indians, good Syrians and good Africans. 

Kamla In Front God Behind, "The Reason"

Kamla in front and God Behind PP 2010 election

Over two years have passed, and what seems to be an everlasting tale of Corruption, Self gratification, unhappiness by many citizens, Disaster, Injustices, Crime,  Mistakes and Mis-steps  have been plaguing this beloved country with no sight as to when it would ever end. But why this sudden change? Why, are we being punished? Why have we sunken into this grave abyss, struggling against this dark body of water amass with currents of confusion, hysteria and in-coherency? The answer lies in the subliminal pre-electoral campaigned  messages that have been branded so many times in front our very own eyes. "Pride goes before a fall", were the words of the wise man Solomon. Indeed, I have strong faith in those words. I believed them pre election 2010 and continue to assert that those words still hold, with strong affirmation. This Government came into power on the premise of "Change", however, the Nation received an Exchange. Referred by many as aunty Kamla, and credited with motherly characteristics, senses and care, you might be swayed into believing that running a country is as easy as managing a four (4) member household. Truth be told, motherhood would never prepare you for Prime-ministerial role. The picture attached to this disquisition, sums up the governance and the state of this country in its entirety. The reason for this apparent chaos, for the many mistakes and mis-steps, the constant reshuffling (trying to get it right) and the many atrocities we've had to endure in only two years of an infant government is simply because "God is not First". The bible makes it very definitive "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain". Psalm 127:1 KJV

And that my friends is  The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing but The Truth. 

Written by O.J.Noel

28th June 2012

Madam Prime Minister, We the Country are Hoping for the Change promised

Madam PM, it is  really a time for "Hope". The Nation is "Hoping" for Good Governance, The Nation is "Hoping" for better wages, The nation is "Hoping" to live in a Crime free zone, The nation is "Hoping" that the Big thiefs in Government get Jail Time, The Nation is "Hoping" that Nepotism would be a thing of the past, The Pensioners are "Hoping" to Get back their full pension, The Nation is "Hoping" for alot of things KAMLA. Quit yapping all day every day and Get to work you and your Piece Together Government....

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/PM__A_time_for_hope-157990275.html